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Community EventsChildren and FamilyFood & Drink

Tournament of Cheeseburgers

Sunday, July 20, 2025 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Smorgasburg LA at ROW DTLA, 777 S. Alameda St., Downtown L.A.
Free
A promotional image for the 2nd Annual Tournament of Cheeseburgers, presented by LAist and hosted at Smorgasburg Los Angeles, featuring a playful and energetic aesthetic with cartoon cheeseburgers.
The Tournament of Cheeseburgers is back, cheesier and juicier than before.
(
LAist
)

The most delicious tournament is back for another round! LAist’s second-annual Tournament of Cheeseburgers will celebrate the cheeseburger in all of its glorious forms, from smashed to vegan and everything in between. We’re also shining a light on the independent purveyors serving up this classic treat, as well as the communities they represent.

We’re crowning the burger champ on July 20 at a special live event and celebration at Smorgasburg LA. Bring the whole family for burgers, entertainment and lots of fun at this vibrant open-air food market. (And if you don’t like burgers, there are plenty of other tasty treats available from Smorgasburg LA’s diverse line-up of vendors.) RSVP for free so we know you’re coming!

Here’s what’s happening at Smorgasburg LA on July 20:

PLUS

  • Free Kitchen Starter Bundles for Families Affected by the Fires
  • Hedley & Bennett will be handing out 800 free kitchen starter bundles to anyone impacted by the Palisades or Altadena fires.
  • No paperwork, no catch, just come by. First come, first served.

“We’re teaming up with LAist’s Tournament of Cheeseburgers to spread a little comfort and help folks feel at home again.”

Hedley & Bennett Logo
(
Hedley & Bennett
)
Photograph of Tournament of Cheeseburgers at the Row in DTLA
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of a couple enjoying a cheeseburger.
(
Louis Felix
)
Smiling attendees at the Tournament of Cheeseburgers
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of band playing under the Dublab tent.
(
Louis Felix
)
Proudly Serving vendor at the Tournament of Cheeseburgers
Proudly Serving
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of an attendee playing an instrument.
(
Louis Felix
)
Larry Mantle talking with one of our board members Capri Maddox
(
Louis Felix
)
Larry Mantle, and Gab Chabran, presenting the 1st place award to the representatives from The Win-Dow.
The Win-Dow
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of the grab an instrument activation at Tournament of Cheeseburgers.
(
Louis Felix
)
Three smiling representatives with a thumbs up from The Win-Dow holding the 1st place trophy.
The Win-Dow
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of Tournament of Cheeseburgers banner and attendee taking a picture with it.
(
Louis Felix
)
LAist's membership tent with a spin the wheel activation.
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of two attendees showing off their cheeseburger artwork.
Painting Joint
(
Louis Felix
)
Larry Mantle, & Gab Chabran presenting the Larry Mantle's special Merit Award favorite burger to the representative of Pie N' Burger
Pie N' Burger
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of membership lounge at Tournament of Cheeseburgers
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of attendees making flower crowns.
Forager LA
(
Louis Felix
)
Hedley & Bennett team at Tournament of Cheeseburgers
Hedley & Bennett
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of a girl painting a cheeseburger cat on a small canvas.
Painting Joint
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of two attendees smiling and enjoying their burger.
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of a group of Tournament of Cheeseburgers attendees smiling and huddling around a high-top
(
Louis Felix
)
Photography of children painting burgers on small canvases. A blue colored tablecloth with paint and paint brushes.
Painting Joint
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of man playing the saxophone at the Dublab tent during Tournament of Cheeseburgers.
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of cyanotype print being made.
Forager LA
(
Louis Felix
)
Larry Mantly, Gab Chabran, presenting 2nd place award to Krunch Burger
Krunch Burger
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of Dublab tent. A male DJ with a stripped shirt mixing music for Tournament of Cheeseburgers.
Dublab
(
Louis Felix
)
Burger vendor The Win-Dow serving up at their pop-up tent.
The Win-Dow
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of a tiny attendee in a burger onesie and a flower crown.
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of Larry Mantle, Gab Chabran presenting a 3rd place award to Representative of El Brewjo Burgers
El Brewjo
(
Louis Felix
)
Megan Garvey from LAist presenting Fair Oaks Burger representative with the Tournament of Cheeseburgers award for Community Champion.
Fair Oaks Burger
(
Louis Felix
)
Larry Mantle Gab Chabran, Megan Garvey, and two Fair Oaks Burgers representatives smiling after receiving the Community Champion Special Award.
Fair Oaks Burger
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of yellow Surf Bus with spray paint art of sea creatures including sea turtle, fish, starfish, and Octopus. On the bus black lettering in reads " Surf Academy, Surf Bus Los Angeles" on top of lettering there's artwork of surfboards and children. Photograph includes a small boy practicing surfing on a blue practice surfboard. Boy is wearing black and grey checkered shorts, red sneakers and a blue shark graphic print shirt, a SB hat.
Surf Bus Foundation
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of cheeseburgers hot on the grill.
(
Louis Felix
)
Hedley & Bennett donation packages for the wildfire victims
Hedley & Bennett
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of a black pop-up tent with the Angel City Brewery Logo. Two Angel City Brewery representatives are giving swag away.
Angel City Brewery
(
Louis Felix
)
Photograph of surf bus instructor teaching a child how to surf on the training equipment.
Surf Bus Foundation
(
Louis Felix
)

Beer Sponsor of Tournament of Cheeseburgers

Logo for Angel City Brewery
(
Angel City Brewery
)

ABOUT SMORGASBURG
Smorgasburg operates the largest open air food markets in the country, with locations in New York, Los Angeles, Jersey City, Sao Paulo, and most recently Miami and Toronto.

Smorgasburg L.A. provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses curated from the next wave of SoCal’s food, beverage and shopping scene. With a family friendly beer garden and more it is the perfect place to spend a day with friends, family, or colleagues.

ACCOMMODATIONS
LAist is committed to providing access and accommodation for individuals with disabilities at our events. To request accommodations, please email events@laist.com or call us at (626) 583-5222 at least 7 days in advance of the event.